Portable fuel igniter

ABSTRACT

A solid fuel igniter has a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and an ignition arrangement mounted in a lower end portion of the container. The container end portion is provided with combustion air access. A handle support is coupled to the container end portion and extends outwardly and laterally thereof, and a heat insulating handle is secured to an outer end portion of the handle support and extends upwardly therefrom. The handle is thereby spaced from the container to facilitate grasping thereof.

United States Patent 1191 Miller June 4, 1974 [54] PORTABLE FUEL IGNITER 3,339,505 9/1967 Bean .Q 110 1 F ,4 3,97 7 l969 C [76] Inventor: Glenn A. Miller, 1004 Hlllcrest Dr.. 5 5 miner [lo/l F Greensburg 1560] Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors [22] Filed: May 30, 1972 211 Appl. 190.; 258,051 [57,] ABSTRACT A solid fuel igniter has a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and an ignition g gi g arrangement mounted in a lower end portion of the [58' Fieid "fig .1 F container. The container end portion is provided with combustion air access. A handle support is coupled to the container end portion and extends outwardly and [56] References Cited laterally thereof, and a heat insulating handle is se- UNITED STATES PATENTS cured to an outer end portion of the handle support 2,920,614 H1960 Phelps 110/1 F and extends upwardly therefrom. The handle is 9 6/1960 Rymer 9 2 '26/25 3 thereby spaced from the container to facilitate grasp- 3,062,200 11/1962 Miller 126/25 8 mg h f 3,l2l,4()8 2/1964 Haning 1 .vll0/l F 3,296,984 1 H967 Durfee 126/25 B 12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures l PORTABLE FUEL IGNITER The present invention relates to a portable fuel igniter and more particularly to an igniter of the character described which is capable of bringing a solid, difficult to ignite fuel, such as charcoal or coal to red or orange heat within a very few minutes. The igniter is particularly useful for igniting charcoal briquets for igniting the lighter fluid within the igniter Without hazard to the operator. My igniter is configured essentially as a unitary structure having a minimum of component parts. It can be constructed readily for withstanding the maximum heat of the burning charcoal during repeated use of the igniter over extended periods of time. After ignition, the briquets can be dumped conveniently into an external grill or brazier, or the igniter itself can be employed as a grill. 1 am aware of a number of known arrangements for igniting solid fuels typified for example by the patents to Hereon, U.S. Pat. No. 1,959,473; Curtis, U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,771; Arena,

U.S. Pat. No. 3,209,712; Durfee, U.S. Pat. No.

used for such activities. The time consuming difficulties 'of igniting the charcoal briquets has long been a major problem in this type of cooling. Ignition difficulties arise from the fact that the grill or brazier invariably is shaped for a maximum cooking surface or area rather than for optimum ignition of the charcoal.

Various methods are employed for starting the charcoal fire, but the use of a combustible igniter fluid applied directly to the charcoal briquets is most common. This is a most inefficient manner of igniting the charcoal, as only the relatively cool portions of the burning fluid is in contact with the charcoal briquets. Consequently the charcoal briquets are ignited very slowly with much exasperation to the would-be cook. The charcoal lighter moreover is usually lighted with a match, and this involves considerable hazard to the operator. Quite often, the charcoal fails to ignite properly and additional lighter fluid is applied with even greater hazard. ln-addition to the normal hazards inherent in the use or misuse ofa combustible igniter fluid, an undesirably odor is imparted to the food, when the briquets must be initially soaked or otherwise liberally sprinkled with igniter fluid. This situation is aggravated by the slowness with which the briquets are ignited in this fashion, and cooking is commenced prematurely before the igniter fluid is completely burned off. Quite often cooking is well underway or virtually completed before the charcoal briquets even approach theirmaximum heat output.

In accordance with my invention, a portable fuel igniter is provided which is capable of bringing the number of charcoal briquets needed for the average grill or brazier to their maximum heat output capability within a very few minutes. The igniter is arranged for ready portability without personnel hazard and is quickly and easily handled. in further accordance with the invention the igniter is configured unexpectedly for maximum draft and ignition efficiency. The charcoal briquets are ignited conveniently with a starter fluid which, however, is prevented from actual contact with the briquets. The igniter is further arranged in an inobvious manner such that only one application of lighter fluid is required throughout the ignition process. The burning igniter fluid is applied, in accordance with another feature of the invention, such that the briquets are exposed to the maximum flame temperatures of the burning fluid. Provision is made for both retaining and 3,216,379; Kaufmann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,399; and Byars, Sr. et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,1 16,704 and 3,167,040. Heron, U.S. Pat. No. 1,959,473 is a burnable container of easily ignited fuel for initiating ignitionof heavier'fuel. As the container itself is combustible, provisions for draft, containment of high temperatures, andplacement of igniter fluid obviously are not pertinent problems. The igniter disclosed in Arena, U.S. Pat. No. 3,209,712 requires a power driven fan to provide adequate draft. Moreover, the charcoal is started with burning paper placed in the fuel chamber. Burning paper, of course, creates a quantity of fly ash which can contaminate food or the environment, particularly if there is'a slight breeze. Transportation ofbulky paper for this purpose is cumbersome, which moreover is subject to dampness during inclement weather.

Durfee, U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,379; Kaufmann, U.S. Pat. No.3,499,399 and Byars, Sr. et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,704 and 3,167,040 likewise require the use of newspaper or the like for starting a charcoal fuel. There is no provision for maintaining a burning lighter fluid separately of the charcoal briquets. Moreover, if too much paper is utilized, the draft openings can be blocked.

Curtis, U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,771 discloses a charcoal grill of complex construction including a fire box and draft regulator. Although a discrete wick assembly is employed there are no means for prepositioning the wick structure or for relating the wick to proper draft induction and application of maximum flame temperatures.

None of the igniters among the aforementioned patents utilize a leg arrangement on the igniter container itself for reliable and reproducible draft induction. The legs of the Durfee igniter are merely extensions of a specialized form supporting grate.

l accomplish the aforementioned objectives and overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally thereof, said ignition means being supported spacedly below said grate and including a quantity of wicking material, said grate being shaped to prevent contacting of said wicking material by said fuel.

1 also provide a similar fuel igniter wherein said ignition means include a plurality of discrete wick bars, each wrapped with a quantity of said wicking material, said bars in addition being spaced laterally of one another and of adjacent wall surfaces of said container in partial provision of said air access means.

I also desirably provide a solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition. means mounted in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally thereof, and a heat insulating handle secured to an outer end portion of said handle support and extending upwardly therefrom, said handle being thereby spacedfrom said container to facilitate grasping thereof.

I also provide a similar fuel igniter wherein said air access means include a number of leg members spacedly joined to a lower'edge portion of said container.

- l also provide a similar fuel igniter wherein said ignition meansare wick bars spaced laterally beneath said grate, each of said wick bars having a wick portion dangling into the space beneath said container and between said legs.

I also provide a similar fuel igniter including a cooking grid detachably engageable with upper end portion of said container, said grid being substantially coextensive with an upper opening of said container.

During the foregoing discussion, various objects, features and advantages of the invention have been set forth. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention together with structural details thereof will be elaborated upon during the forthcoming description of certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and presently preferred methods of practicing the same. I

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain presently preferred methods of practicing the same, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one form of fuel igniter arranged in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1A is a partial reduced elevational view of a modification of my novel igniter shown in the preceding figure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, partially broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the grate illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a vertically sectioned view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 and taken along reference line III- III thereof;

FIG. 3A is a partial isometric view of a bottom portion of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 3B is an enlarged isometric view of one of the wick bars illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, with parts broken away and other parts removed for purposes of clarity.

With detailed reference now initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings a fuel igniter arranged in accordance with the invention includes a fuel holder or container 12 of suitable configuration and size, in this arrangement of hollow. cylindrical shape. The container 12 is provided with a number of supporting legs 14 of sufficient length to afford adequate air supply as required by the very considerably and unexpected draft developed by the chimney effect of the. container 12 and the elevated temperatures of the fuel when ignited therein. The height of the legs 14, therefore, bears a critical relationship to the overall proportioning of the igniter 10. Al-

though the number of legs can be varied in excess of the three illustrated legs, the use of three legs is desirable to provide a stabilizing, tripod effect and to minimize interference with air supply. For ease in molding the container 12, including the legs 14, the legs can be tapered downwardly as shown.

From a position adjacent the lower edge 16 of the container 12 in handle support 18 is protruded in cantilevered fashion and is strengthened in this example by one or more ribs, such as central rib 20. A handle 22 fabricated from wood or other suitable insulating material is secured in cantilevered upstanding relation to the outer end portion of the handle support 18 as by mounting bolt 24 extending longitudinally through the handle 22 and the adjacent portion of the handle support 18. Desirably one or more asbestos washers 26 are inserted between the lower end of the handle 22 and the support 18 to prevent burning or blistering of the handle 22. Desirably the washer or washers 26 can project outwardly of the handle 22 to advise the user of the igniter 10 almost instinctively through his sense of touch that he may be placing his hand too close to the handle support 18 in the event that the handle support is fabricated from a metallic structural material such as that employed for the container 12.

The handle support 18 can be joined to the fuel container 12 by molding or otherwise forming integrally therewith, or by welding, brazing or bolting, for example, a discrete metal support thereto. Where the handle support 18 is fabricated from a conductive. material, it can be slotted or otherwise perforated (not shown) to promote heat transfer therefrom by convection where it is necessary to further reduce transfer of heat from the fuel container 12 to the handle 22.

An important feature of the invention is the spatial relationship of the handle 22, the handle support 18 and the fuel container 12. Desirably the handle support 18 is secured to the container 12 adjacent its lower extremity of the handle 22. Thus, when the handle 22 is grasped and lifter by the user of the igniter 10, the

accidental contact therewith. This is in marked and un-- expected contrast to the situation where the handle support might be joined to the upper end of the handle or to both ends of the handle, as taught previously in the art of fuel igniters. In such cases the weight of the igniter would tend to force the hot handle support into contact with the user hand when transporting the igniter. To further protect the users little finger when grasping the handle 22 for lifting purposes, one or both of the asbestos washers 26 can be extended or protruded inwardly a short distance as denoted by reference numeral 28 to cover the adjacent portions of the handle support 18 including the rib 20 if used.

The fuel container 12 proper is designed to contain enough solid fuel, for example charcoal briquets, for the average sized grill in cooking an average supply of food. For example, the container 12 can be sized to contain 36 or more such briquets after allowing the necessary space for grate 30 and wick bars 32, 34 described below in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 and related Figures. For each capacity the configuration of timum draft and ignition conditions for igniting about three dozen briquets to red-orange heat within about minutes or less. In actual tests I have found that the flame from the burning charcoal as the briquets approach the red heat will rise 5 to 6 inches off the upper ignited. Moreover the ratio of container height to diameter can be varied within the range-of about 0.8:! to

conditions in most, if not all, applications.

After a suitable quantity of the charcoal briquets or other solid fuel is thus ignited, it is contemplated that the portable igniter can be carried to a suitable brazier or charcoal grill so that the thoroughly ignited briquets or other solidfuel can be dumped therein for conventional operation of the grill or brazier.

Alternatively, and in accordance with another feature of my invention, the igniter 10 itself can be employed as a charcoal grill or brazier. In such cases a corresponding lesser number of briquets or other quantity of fuel can be utilized. For example the aforementioned grate 30 can be covered with one or two layers of briquets, and cooking can proceed on a suitable grid or the like held or otherwise supported over the top of the container 12. r

In accordance-with the invention, however, I provide a uniquely shaped cooking grid 36 which can be fabricated exemplarily and readily from a suitable, structural wire, and upon which food can be placed directly or in a frying pan or the like for cooking purposes. Desirably the grid 36 includes a circular wire or band or other outer support 38 having about the same configuration of the container 12 in plan. A number of straight wires 40 or other suitable grid'type supports can be welded or brazed to the circular support 38 to which a re-enterant wire or other appropriate handle 42 is similarly secured. Likewise secured to the circular support 32 are a number of supporting legs 44 shich can be bent from similar wire as shown to support the circular frame 38 spacedly but directly from the upper edge portions of the fuel container 20. Spacing the grid 36 in some such fashion permits use of a frying pan or other solid bottomed cooking utensil, without interferring with draft. The combination of the especially and uniquely shaped grid 36 and the novel igniter 10 provides a unique self-contained charcoal grill or brazier as an alternative feature of the invention in addition to the unexpected ignition capabilities of the igniter 10 per se. The grid and igniter combination 10, 36 is particularly advantageous for fast cooking or individual portions or for boiling water or the like in a suitable container, owing to the unique draft and ignition capabilities of the igniter 10, which have been developed primarily for solid fuel ignition.

When the igniter 10 is employed for its primary or fuel-igniting function, it is contemplated that the container 12 can be substantially filled with charcoal briquettes or other solid fuel, owing again to the unique draft and ignition capabilities of the igniter I0. I have about 1221 while affording adequate draft and ignition found for example in other tests that when a maximum quantity of briquettes are ignited in the container 12 that the outer surface of the container may reach a temperature of 700 F. or higher. To afford the necessary air access for the draft developed by the chimney effect of the container 12 at these temperatures, the length of the legs 14 of the container 112 are about mini mal in the illustrated embodiment, i.e. when the length of the legs 14 are about equal to about 20 to 40 percent and preferably to about 33 percent of the vertical dimension of the container 12 or cylindrical portion of the igniter 10. Similarly the spacing of the grate 30 above the lower edge of the container 12 and length of supporting lugs 60 are about minimal (for the illustrated container configuration) for adequate draft and to avoid flame at the lower container opening. Of course, these relationships will vary somewhat in dependence of the number and horizontal dimension of the legs 114;

For preheating charcoal or the like for larger external grills or braziers (not shown) the capacity of container 12 of the igniter 10 can be increased in accordance with that feature of the invention shown in FIG. 1A. A containment section 43 is provided with generally'the same cross-sectional configuration as that of the main igniter container 12 and is arranged for detachable connection to the upper end of the container 12'. The section 43 can be molded or cast from a suitable structural material such as steel or aluminum or alloys thereof. Alternatively the section 43 (and also the main container 12 or 12 of the igniter It! or 10') can be fabricated from a band of sheet steel or the like bent to cylindrical or other suitable configuration (depending again upon the cross-sectional configuration of the container 12). When thus bent the ends of the band can be overlapped and spot welded or provided with a longitudinal folded seam or the like. In the illustrated example the height of the container section 43 is about half that of the main container l2", although other spatial relationships can be employed depending upon the application of the invention and desired capacity.

Desirably the container section 43 is detachably joined to the container 12 to permit dumping of the ignited fuel content into an external grill or brazier for subsequent cooking or other use. Such joining can be accomplished by a number of depending tabs 42 spot welded or otherwise secured to the container section 43. Each of the tabs 45 can be provided with a threadedly engaged thumb screw 47 or the like for frictional engagement with the adjacent outer surfaces of the container 12'. Alternatively, the container 12 can be apertured or recessed as denoted by reference numerals 49 to receive the inward ends of the thumb screws 47 or other fasteners.

Within practical limitations the added obstruction to upward flow of the combusting gases within the container assembly 12, 43 caused by the added fuel is compensated by the enhanced chimney effect and draft of the container arrangement 12, 43.

In further accordance with the invention, an unexpected grate and wick bar assembly 30, 32, 34 is supported for unexpectedly facile removal in the lower portion of the fuel container 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The wick bars 32, 34 are designed to hold an adequate quantity of charcoal lighter or other combustible starting fluid which obviates the necessity for applying the fluid directly to the charcoal or other solid fuel. Eliminated also are the difficulties of after taste and potential health hazard associated with direct application of starter liquid to the solid fuel briquettes. The wick bars accordingly are supported a short distance beneath the grate 30 such that the grate retains the wick bars in place with a minimum of fastening hardware as described in detail below and such that the starter fluid can be applied directly to the wick bars through the otherwise'open bottom of the fuel igniter 10, before the fuel is dumped into the container 12, of course. The fluid desirably is applied from a container having a single-stream applicator. The otherwise open bottom of the container 12 permits an essentially unobstructed flow of combustion air to the interstices of the grate and wick bar assembly, which are further configured to afford a minimum of flow resistance therethrough, as described below.

A grate 30 is cast or molded or otherwise formed to provide a loose grill configuration such that a relatively narrow supporting strip substantially centrally overlies associated one of the wick bars 32 or 34 (FIG.

- 2). These strips 46,48 (FIG. 2A) are interconnected by cross strips 50 and by supportive end portions 52 of the grate 30. A pair of lateral projections 54 extend outwardly and respectively from the grill strips 48 to prevent briquets or other lumps of solid fuel from wedging between thegrate 30 and the inner surfaces of the container 12.

The relationship of the long grill strips 46, 48 to the wick bars 32, 34 provides a minimum of interferance with the ignition flames projecting upwardly from the wick bars 32, 34 when the lighter fluid applied thereto is ignited. A minimum of inner connecting grill strips 50 likewise minimizes flame interference and resistance to combustion air flowing through the spaces between the wick bars 32, 34 and the adjacent surfaces of the container 12. Desirably, the wickbars are constructed so as to contain a maximum of wicking material, as described below, while still affording adequate flow of combustion air through spaces 56 therebetween and spaces 58 between the outer wick bars 34 and the inner wall surfaces ofthe container 12. As evident from FIG. 2 the outer wick bars 34 can be identically constructed for interchangability. In the illustrated example the sizes of the spaces 56, 58 are approximately minimal for an adequate flow of combustion air for any quantity of briquetted fuel which can be contained within the container 12.

The grate 30 and the wick bars 32, 34 are further configured and positioned such that when assembled in the container as aforedescribed the grill projections 54 of the grate and its end pieces 52 terminate at or closely adjacent the outer lateral surfaces 76 of the outermost wick bars 34 further to minimize resistance to flow of combustion air through the flow passages 58.

The wick bars 32, 34 are supported at their ends by respective arrays of supporting lugs 60 (FIGS. 3, 3A), with the arrays of lugs 60 being disposed diametrically on the inner and desirably lowermost wall surfaces of the container 12. The individual lugs 60 can be secured to the container 12 for example by molding or casting integrally. As best shown in FIGS. 3, 3B each of the wick bars 32, 34 can. be T-shaped in cross section,

- which in accordance with another feature of the invention aids in supporting the wick bars and also in the application of a miximum quantity of wicking material thereto. In supporting the wick bars 32, 34 from the lugs 60 the leg portion of the T-shaped end portions of the outer bars 34 is contained between the respective outer lugs 60a and the adjacent curvature of the container 12. One end of the arm position of the T-shaped end portions of the outer wick bars 34 rests upon the upper ends of the associated supporting lugs 60a, all of which is denoted by chain outline 62 of such end portions in FIG. 3A.

On the other hand the central wick bar 32 has the leg portion of its T-shaped end section 64 (FIG. 3A) trapped between a pair 60b of the supporting lugs 60. The arm section of its end portion rests upon the upper ends of the supporting lugs 60b. Thus, downward movement of the wick bars is prevented by their engagement with the upper ends of the supporting lugs 60, while sidewise movement of the central wick 32 bar is prevented by engagement between the central supporting lugs 60b and of the outer wick bars 34 by their engagement between the outer supporting lugs 60a and the adjacent curved surfaces of the container 12.

The wick bars 32, 34 are further stabilized relative to sidewise movement of pairs of depending lugs 66 secured to the supportive ends 52 of the grate 30 (FIGS. 2A, 3). When the grate 30 in in its operating position (FIGS. 2 and 3) the lugs 66 are inserted respectively between the adjacent end portions of the wick bars 32, 34. When thus positioned, the grate 30 also limits upward movement of the wick bars 32, 34 as the lower edge portions 68 of the supportive grate ends 52 rest thereon, in accordance with other features of the invention.

When thus positioned and in further accordance with the invention the grate 30 can be secured in place by a minimum of fastening hardware for example a pair of screws 70 which are insertable respectively into apertures 72 (FIGS. 2, 2A) in each end portion 52 of the grate 30. Desirably the screws 70 are threadedly engaged with tapped apertures 74 in the container 12 but are freely insertable into the aforesaid grate apertures 72. Accordingly the grate 30 can be removed, along with the wick bars 32, 34 if desired, from the container 12 by merely backing off the retaining screws 70 without completely removing the screws from the container 12. This minimizes possibilities of loss ofthe screws 70 when the grate 30 and/or the wick bars 32, 34 must be removed from the container 12 for cleaning, rewicking or replacement.

Owing to the structure and configuration of the grate 30 and the wick bars 32, 34 the upper surfaces of the wick bars can be disposed closely to the underside of the grate 30 and thus closely to the solid fuel briquets supported on the grate 30 for application for maximum ignition heat to the fuel. At the same time the configuration of the grate 30 prevents contact between the fuel and the wick bars to avoid transfer of combustible starter liquid to the solid fuel.

To ensure ignition of the solid fuel supported within the container 12 and on the grate 30, each of the wick bars 32, 34 desirably is provided with a more than adequate supply of wicking material 78. The wicking material 78 can be exemplarily a length of 4-inch asbestos braided rope, which is commonly available. The wicking 78 can be folded and run a number of times longitudinally of the associated wick bar 32 or 34, as denoted by reference numerals 80 in FIG. 3B. The folds 80 thus are more or less cradled between the leg portion and the adjacent arm section of the cross-sectional configuration of the wick bar. In assembling each wick bar 32 or 34 a longitudinal folds or lengths 80 of the wicking material can be temporarily positioned by a string or thin wire (not shown). Thereafter additional lengths of the wicking material 78 can be wrapped along the length of the wick bar such that the individual wraps 82 thereof are closely spaced and operate to permanently retain the longitudinal lengths of folds 80 in place. At one end of each of the wick bars 32, 34 (FIGS. l, 2, 313) a free end portion 84 is dangled downwardly into the space below and generally at the same side of the container 12 so that the wick bars 32, 34 can be readily ignited from a single match.

The lateral dimension of each wick bar 32, 34 is made as wide as possible (FIG. 3) to present a maximum flame front to the solid fuel briquets or the like supported on the grate 30. A uniform flame front is afforded by the upper, flat surfaces 84, 86 (FIG. 2) of the wick bars 32, 34. The air flow passages s and 58 adjacent the wick bars 32, 34 are substantially at the minimum areas for adequate flow of combustion air.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a novel and efficient portable fuel igniter has been disclosed herein.

The apparatus is capable of primarily an ignition of the solid fuel, or for ignition plus subsequent use as a selfcontained grill. The descriptive and illustrative materials employed herein, therefore, are utilized for purposes of exemplifying the invention and not in limitation thereof. Accordingly, numerous modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that certain features of the invention can be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features thereof.

I claim:

1. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said con tainer, air access means coupled to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally thereof, a heat insulating handle secured to an outer end portion of said handle support and extending upwardly therefrom, said handle being thereby spaced from said container to facilitate grasping thereof, said ignition means including a number of wick bars, and-means for spacing said wick bars beneath said grate and laterally of one another. 2. The combination according to claim ll wherein said wick bars are separated and positioned by lug members secured to interior surfaces of said container end portion and to undersurfaces of said grate respectively.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein means are provided for supporting said wick bars within said container end portion, and said grate includes depending end portions resting upon respective end portions of said wick bars.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein each of said wick bars is wrapped with a length of wicking material, the wraps of said material being closely spaced along the length of said wick bars.

5. The combination according to claim 3 wherein fastening means are mounted on said container and include a projection extending loosely into an aperture therefor in said grate for retaining said grate and said iii wick bars within said container upon inversion of said container.

6. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally thereof, and a heat insulating handle secured to an outer end portion or said handle support and extending upwardly therefrom, said handle being thereby spaced from said container to facilitate grasping thereof, said air access means including a number of leg members spacedly joined to a lower edge portion of said container, said ignition means including wick bars spaced laterally beneath said grate, each of said wick bars having a wick portion dangling into the space beneath said container and between said legs.

7. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said con-' tainer, air access means coupled to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally thereof, said ignition means being supported spacedly below said grate and including a quantity of wicking material, said grate being shaped to prevent contacting of said wicking material by said fuel, said ignition means including a plurality of discrete wickbars, each of said bars being wrapped with a quantity of said wicking material, said bars in addition being spaced laterally of one another and of adjacent wall surfaces of said container in partial provision of said air access means.

8. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel-supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled to said container end portion, said ignition means including at least one wick bar suspended at its ends below said grate and having a length of wicking material wound closely thereabout, said wicking material being capable of retaining a quantity of liquid igniter, said grate being shaped to prevent contacting of said wicking material by said fuel, and said access means including means for spacing. said container end portion above an external support therefor and for spacing an intermediate length of said wick bar from said grate and from adjacent wall sur faces of said container.

9. The combination according to claim 3 including a handle support coupled to said container end portion in cantilevered fashion, and a handle secured to an outer end portion of said support and extending in cantilevered fashion therefrom.

10. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said container is a hollow cylinder, said cylinder having a height to diameter ratio in the range of about 0.8:1 to about l.2:l.

ii. The combination according to claim 10 wherein said ratio is about 1:1.

12. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said air access means include a number of leg members spacedly joined to a lower edge portion of said container, the length of said legs being equal to about 20 to 40 percent of the height of said container. 

1. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally thereof, a heat insulating handle secured to an outer end portion of said handle support and extending upwardly therefrom, said handle being thereby spaced from said container to facilitate grasping thereof, said ignition means including a number of wick bars, and means for spacing said wick bars beneath said grate and laterally of one another.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said wick bars are separated and positioned by lug members secured to interior surfaces of said container end portion and to undersurfaces of said grate respectively.
 3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein means are provided for supporting said wick bars within said container eNd portion, and said grate includes depending end portions resting upon respective end portions of said wick bars.
 4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein each of said wick bars is wrapped with a length of wicking material, the wraps of said material being closely spaced along the length of said wick bars.
 5. The combination according to claim 3 wherein fastening means are mounted on said container and include a projection extending loosely into an aperture therefor in said grate for retaining said grate and said wick bars within said container upon inversion of said container.
 6. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally thereof, and a heat insulating handle secured to an outer end portion or said handle support and extending upwardly therefrom, said handle being thereby spaced from said container to facilitate grasping thereof, said air access means including a number of leg members spacedly joined to a lower edge portion of said container, said ignition means including wick bars spaced laterally beneath said grate, each of said wick bars having a wick portion dangling into the space beneath said container and between said legs.
 7. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally thereof, said ignition means being supported spacedly below said grate and including a quantity of wicking material, said grate being shaped to prevent contacting of said wicking material by said fuel, said ignition means including a plurality of discrete wick bars, each of said bars being wrapped with a quantity of said wicking material, said bars in addition being spaced laterally of one another and of adjacent wall surfaces of said container in partial provision of said air access means.
 8. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel-supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled to said container end portion, said ignition means including at least one wick bar suspended at its ends below said grate and having a length of wicking material wound closely thereabout, said wicking material being capable of retaining a quantity of liquid igniter, said grate being shaped to prevent contacting of said wicking material by said fuel, and said access means including means for spacing said container end portion above an external support therefor and for spacing an intermediate length of said wick bar from said grate and from adjacent wall surfaces of said container.
 9. The combination according to claim 8 including a handle support coupled to said container end portion in cantilevered fashion, and a handle secured to an outer end portion of said support and extending in cantilevered fashion therefrom.
 10. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said container is a hollow cylinder, said cylinder having a height to diameter ratio in the range of about 0.8:1 to about 1.2:1.
 11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein said ratio is about 1:1.
 12. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said air access means include a number of leg members spacedly joined to a lower edge portion of said container, the length of said legs being equal to about 20 to 40 percent of the height of said container. 